What do you think?
Rate this book
Train to Nowhere
Across the wild mountains the silver train glides on a cushion of air, carrying within its plastic walls the world of Orphans. Its destination? Nowhere. The illegally-born must live out their lives inside this computerized train. Admin wills it so. But young Garland, an Orphan musician, seeks a different destination, called freedom. To realize it he struggles against Admin’s mind control and those affected by it. His only escape lies with a mysterious woman who is led by a freeing spirit. Can Garland learn to connect with this spirit before the flicker of opportunity dies? This imaginative story carries the reader into the far future where spiritual guidance vies with computer control.
- GenresDystopiaScience Fiction
386 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 20, 2010
28 people want to read
About the author
Gloria Piper
8 books38 followersWhen working in biology, I missed art. When working in art, I missed biology. It took a bout of multiple chemical sensitivities to limit me to writing. At last here was a niche in which I felt old-clothes comfortable. At last I could indulge all my interests, from art and science to nature and spirituality, from reality to fantasy. My most recent awards range from honorable mention to editor's choice for my science fiction and fantasy writing, which include Where the Sky Ends, Long Pig, and Train to Nowhere.
I grew up in the country and attended a country school. After high school, I car-pooled with my mother, older brother, and a kid from a neighboring farm to college. We were all students, and in those days, tuition cost less than $30 a semester.
More interested in freedom and adventure than an early marriage, I piled on the experiences, from teaching, doing farm work, directing a Christian ministry, working in Army research and development, care taking, and teaching martial arts.
Over the years, I discovered that aging is an interesting process. Your whole body heads south, and time either speeds up or you slow down. Features that were once unfinished are now full of character. More than youth, I value the wisdom gained, and the ability to say, "I know because I was there."
Presently I live in Northern California. Recently widowed, I treasure the memories of my husband of late years who thought I was the most beautiful lady he'd ever met and told me a hundred times a day in a hundred ways how much he loved me. Added to that love is a three-legged English Labrador.
Like my fb at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Gloria...
I grew up in the country and attended a country school. After high school, I car-pooled with my mother, older brother, and a kid from a neighboring farm to college. We were all students, and in those days, tuition cost less than $30 a semester.
More interested in freedom and adventure than an early marriage, I piled on the experiences, from teaching, doing farm work, directing a Christian ministry, working in Army research and development, care taking, and teaching martial arts.
Over the years, I discovered that aging is an interesting process. Your whole body heads south, and time either speeds up or you slow down. Features that were once unfinished are now full of character. More than youth, I value the wisdom gained, and the ability to say, "I know because I was there."
Presently I live in Northern California. Recently widowed, I treasure the memories of my husband of late years who thought I was the most beautiful lady he'd ever met and told me a hundred times a day in a hundred ways how much he loved me. Added to that love is a three-legged English Labrador.
Like my fb at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Gloria...
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
October 10, 2012
When I first started reading Gloria Piper's Train to Nowhere, my initial reaction wasn't kind. The first chapter immerses readers in the world of Orphans, a hedonistic culture imprisoned in a train on an endless loop for their parents' crimes (think Chinese population control laws). To make it more confusing, the Orphans' language incorporates tons of computer-related words that can be initially baffling (e.g., "deleted" means "killed," "surfing" (the web) means "travelling," etc.) So I will start with the bad: Chapter 1 tosses readers into a society so foreign, culture shock results.
Now the good: everything else about Train to Nowhere, from Chapter 2 to the very last word, is absolutely fantastic! Culture shock quickly dissipates, and readers find themselves transported to a full, lively, and understandable world. Chapter 2 introduces the reader to Hedge, and it becomes immediately clear that Hedge, driven by his ambition, is not above stepping on others to get where he feels he deserves to be. But what makes him more dangerous is that he has real talent . . . and cunning as sharp as a tack.
Hedge is part of the Landeds' society, a more "civilized" community I imagined to be similar to an Amish community, but with some technology. Although, the Landeds are free to roam about, their actions are subject to another kind of prison - the suffocating prudeness of societal norms. The Landeds are identifiable, perhaps a version of America that has been or is to come.
The last of the three societies within Piper's world, kept separate except for prohibited trading, is comprised of the Nomads. They bear a strong resemblance to certain Native American cultures. Admin, who are similar to A.I. but symbolize much more, indirectly oversee Landeds and directly control Orphans. Nomads operate outside their boundaries.
The story follows Garland, an Orphan who yearns to experience life beyond the confines of the Orphan train. On the train, Admin provides all. There is no sickness or crime; even emotions are subliminally controlled. The train is like an all-inclusive prison, and it even serves as a vacation spot for Landeds. Although on the Orphan train Garland would never have need of anything, he is still a prisoner, and he senses he does not belong. But the grass isn't always greener on the other side of the fence.
Garland's struggles, both internal and external, are equally identifiable. Self-doubt, fear, hope, despair, justice and love prevent him from overcoming some obstacles, while these same concepts propel him past others. He is a strong protagonist, one worth routing for, but he is not impeccable. As devious as Hedge can be, his flaw is almost tragic. The strange and varied characters are fully relatable, a tribute to Piper's ability. One can understand why each character takes the risks they take and makes the sacrifices they make.
Train to Nowhere is unique science fiction with elements of fantasy and folklore. If I had to compare it to other works, I'd say a dash of 1984, a pinch of A Brave New World, a hint of The Island, a smidgeon of Fahrenheit 451, a dab of Final Fantasy and a fair dose of LSD (not that I would know). But the combination is something wholly original, a novel that spurns emotion and embraces romanticism in the classical sense. If Orwell and Huxley are required reading for English-language literature courses, Piper's book is surely good enough to find itself alongside them on the syllabi. 5 out of 5 stars.
Now the good: everything else about Train to Nowhere, from Chapter 2 to the very last word, is absolutely fantastic! Culture shock quickly dissipates, and readers find themselves transported to a full, lively, and understandable world. Chapter 2 introduces the reader to Hedge, and it becomes immediately clear that Hedge, driven by his ambition, is not above stepping on others to get where he feels he deserves to be. But what makes him more dangerous is that he has real talent . . . and cunning as sharp as a tack.
Hedge is part of the Landeds' society, a more "civilized" community I imagined to be similar to an Amish community, but with some technology. Although, the Landeds are free to roam about, their actions are subject to another kind of prison - the suffocating prudeness of societal norms. The Landeds are identifiable, perhaps a version of America that has been or is to come.
The last of the three societies within Piper's world, kept separate except for prohibited trading, is comprised of the Nomads. They bear a strong resemblance to certain Native American cultures. Admin, who are similar to A.I. but symbolize much more, indirectly oversee Landeds and directly control Orphans. Nomads operate outside their boundaries.
The story follows Garland, an Orphan who yearns to experience life beyond the confines of the Orphan train. On the train, Admin provides all. There is no sickness or crime; even emotions are subliminally controlled. The train is like an all-inclusive prison, and it even serves as a vacation spot for Landeds. Although on the Orphan train Garland would never have need of anything, he is still a prisoner, and he senses he does not belong. But the grass isn't always greener on the other side of the fence.
Garland's struggles, both internal and external, are equally identifiable. Self-doubt, fear, hope, despair, justice and love prevent him from overcoming some obstacles, while these same concepts propel him past others. He is a strong protagonist, one worth routing for, but he is not impeccable. As devious as Hedge can be, his flaw is almost tragic. The strange and varied characters are fully relatable, a tribute to Piper's ability. One can understand why each character takes the risks they take and makes the sacrifices they make.
Train to Nowhere is unique science fiction with elements of fantasy and folklore. If I had to compare it to other works, I'd say a dash of 1984, a pinch of A Brave New World, a hint of The Island, a smidgeon of Fahrenheit 451, a dab of Final Fantasy and a fair dose of LSD (not that I would know). But the combination is something wholly original, a novel that spurns emotion and embraces romanticism in the classical sense. If Orwell and Huxley are required reading for English-language literature courses, Piper's book is surely good enough to find itself alongside them on the syllabi. 5 out of 5 stars.
July 18, 2013
The novel plunges the reader into an Orwellian nightmare, and as I've noted from other reviewers, it is difficult to get to grips with the text in its opening chapters. However, for science-fiction fans in particular, I feel the author does a praise-worthy job of engendering a new language, a computational alternative to traditional discourse akin in its adept handling to Tolkien's Middle Earth vocabulary, to offer a rather poor comparison. Although I found such terminology as 'Virus-taken' somewhat jarring to begin with, I felt that as the story progressed I began to comprehend this dystopian alternative reality and its nomenclature.
The general language is straight to the point, simple, but with a refreshingly detailed eye and some wonderfully piquant descriptions. The characters, Garland, Little Byte and Hedge, albeit difficult to empathise with at first, endear themselves to you (the former anyway!), and the relationship between Hedge and Garland grips the reader in its clawed throe. This is not usually my sort of reading material, but it was a refreshing change. Any seemingly negative comments I have made regarding the difficulty of empathising with the protagonists and terminology is eradicated as the book progresses and one realises the author has very patiently built relationships and enigmatic backgrounds - most successfully. I would suggest perhaps another edit to eliminate some of the typos I noticed, although these weren't prominent and the book reads professionally. I commend the author for formulating a detailed, fascinating, wondrous and paradoxically deadly world within these pages, and working the novel towards a thrilling stand-off in conclusion.
The general language is straight to the point, simple, but with a refreshingly detailed eye and some wonderfully piquant descriptions. The characters, Garland, Little Byte and Hedge, albeit difficult to empathise with at first, endear themselves to you (the former anyway!), and the relationship between Hedge and Garland grips the reader in its clawed throe. This is not usually my sort of reading material, but it was a refreshing change. Any seemingly negative comments I have made regarding the difficulty of empathising with the protagonists and terminology is eradicated as the book progresses and one realises the author has very patiently built relationships and enigmatic backgrounds - most successfully. I would suggest perhaps another edit to eliminate some of the typos I noticed, although these weren't prominent and the book reads professionally. I commend the author for formulating a detailed, fascinating, wondrous and paradoxically deadly world within these pages, and working the novel towards a thrilling stand-off in conclusion.
January 18, 2013
Train to Nowhere is a very creative sci-fi journey that portrays a strange future society on an Earth ravaged by overpopulation (if I've read the clues correctly). It doesn't provide any straightforward recounting of the history of this new world but lets you learn as you go based on the lives the characters lead. In general I much prefer the subtlety of this style, although I did find it a little difficult to come to a full understanding of this unfamiliar era and could have used maybe just a bit more structural background.
The main characters are set up to be compared and contrasted at every turn and, personally, I was fascinated by the ongoing nature vs nurture undertones. But make no mistake, the two characters, Garland and Hedge, are nothing alike in the end as it builds to a suspenseful conclusion.
All in all, Piper has created a very imaginative world with well-nuanced characters and leads the reader through a captivating story. My only complaint is that in the context of this post-apocalyptic world the characters' story lines, while surely symbolic, seemed a touch mundane considering the epic nature of the changes our world had undergone. I kept expecting things to tie together into a larger narrative that effected everyone we had been introduced to. But regardless, it is an enjoyable, exciting read, and one I can definitely recommend.
The main characters are set up to be compared and contrasted at every turn and, personally, I was fascinated by the ongoing nature vs nurture undertones. But make no mistake, the two characters, Garland and Hedge, are nothing alike in the end as it builds to a suspenseful conclusion.
All in all, Piper has created a very imaginative world with well-nuanced characters and leads the reader through a captivating story. My only complaint is that in the context of this post-apocalyptic world the characters' story lines, while surely symbolic, seemed a touch mundane considering the epic nature of the changes our world had undergone. I kept expecting things to tie together into a larger narrative that effected everyone we had been introduced to. But regardless, it is an enjoyable, exciting read, and one I can definitely recommend.
November 19, 2014
I can summarize this descriptive, dystopian book with a consideration about dreams: never stop dreaming. And the corollary attached to it: be careful what you dream, your dreams might come true.
Three, almost unconnected, societies/castes - each of them revealing the author’s thoughts about our future, a pessimistic one, for sure - share an Earth that is very different from the one we now know. A future ruled by an AI (Admin) morphed into an almost divine overseer, keeping people separated in Nomads, Landeds and Orphans, in order to rule them easier. The “ruled” know only what they “need” to know, and they are pushed to despise each other. Yet, information is always a slippery thing that likes to mock any controller, and that’s why, from all characters, I prefer Dos, the librarian - he is the proof that Admin’s mind conditioning can be overcome by determination, not by luck.
And, to close, one of the most appealing things about science-fiction/fantasy novels is that they usually take place in fantastic and imaginative worlds, bringing up exciting images in a reader’s mind. “Orphans” world is one of them.
I received a free copy from the author.
Three, almost unconnected, societies/castes - each of them revealing the author’s thoughts about our future, a pessimistic one, for sure - share an Earth that is very different from the one we now know. A future ruled by an AI (Admin) morphed into an almost divine overseer, keeping people separated in Nomads, Landeds and Orphans, in order to rule them easier. The “ruled” know only what they “need” to know, and they are pushed to despise each other. Yet, information is always a slippery thing that likes to mock any controller, and that’s why, from all characters, I prefer Dos, the librarian - he is the proof that Admin’s mind conditioning can be overcome by determination, not by luck.
And, to close, one of the most appealing things about science-fiction/fantasy novels is that they usually take place in fantastic and imaginative worlds, bringing up exciting images in a reader’s mind. “Orphans” world is one of them.
I received a free copy from the author.
August 25, 2014
*in exchange of an honest review*
I loved this book. Ms. Piper’s book has magical affect on me. Simply because it was different from the stuffs I’ve been reading for past few months. Different in a feel good way. The book is full of delightful characters (Little Byte, my favorite) and the dialogues are exquisite. Story though simple is full of computer jargons which reminded me much of an onerous IT course, I went through in graduation (I had my days, sigh!). The plot is structured through three tiers of the silver train: Orphan, Landed and Nomads- put in hierarchically, where Orphans are least privileged ones and had most of the restrictions on their way. Garland (the main character) is ambitious and knows his destination as he breaks through the structure to find his way out.
The book is descriptive and sucks you in a well knitted dystopian world. With many themes associated it is bound to appeal readers from different genre. Sci-Fi readers would definitely love it as it’s a fresh twist from other books in market. My only problem was I’d to rush through the last chapters to get the book completed in committed time whereas this is a kind of book I found I can read throughout the year(slow and steady). It’s so good and hence you want to keep it coming in bits. Maybe I’ll give it another read soon.
If science fiction is your food, you better stop starving and get this one. Besides good story, if you’re looking to hone your vocabulary and get acquainted with computer terminology- this book works just fine.
I loved this book. Ms. Piper’s book has magical affect on me. Simply because it was different from the stuffs I’ve been reading for past few months. Different in a feel good way. The book is full of delightful characters (Little Byte, my favorite) and the dialogues are exquisite. Story though simple is full of computer jargons which reminded me much of an onerous IT course, I went through in graduation (I had my days, sigh!). The plot is structured through three tiers of the silver train: Orphan, Landed and Nomads- put in hierarchically, where Orphans are least privileged ones and had most of the restrictions on their way. Garland (the main character) is ambitious and knows his destination as he breaks through the structure to find his way out.
The book is descriptive and sucks you in a well knitted dystopian world. With many themes associated it is bound to appeal readers from different genre. Sci-Fi readers would definitely love it as it’s a fresh twist from other books in market. My only problem was I’d to rush through the last chapters to get the book completed in committed time whereas this is a kind of book I found I can read throughout the year(slow and steady). It’s so good and hence you want to keep it coming in bits. Maybe I’ll give it another read soon.
If science fiction is your food, you better stop starving and get this one. Besides good story, if you’re looking to hone your vocabulary and get acquainted with computer terminology- this book works just fine.
November 2, 2015
An imaginative and enjoyable sci-fi adventure which benefits greatly from a strong, descriptive narrative and the two contrasting main characters, Garland and Hedge. There was enough in it to warrant a re-read as I’m sure I’ll enjoy it more a second time, plus pick up on other things I may have overlooked. It’s well-structured, unique and knows its audience – an impressive effort and a recommended read for sci-fi lovers in particular.
January 2, 2018
4.5 stars
Train to Nowhere is set in a dystopian world in which a population crisis led to the three castes: Orphans, Landeds, and Nomads. The two main characters, Garland and Hedge, come from two different cultures. Orphan Garland lives on a train that travels aboveground permanently. Hedge lives among the Landeds, a relatively ‘more moral’ society than Orphan.
This coming-of-age story focuses on Garland who, naïve at first, has to grow as he’s thrust into the Landeds world and has to struggle to find out who he really is and where he belongs.
Hedge’s dark and manipulating nature is fascinating to read about while Garland comes out as indecisive and naïve.
The strength of the book lies in the world-building, from the interior of the Silver Snake to the Western World of the Landeds with carriages and horses to the Nomads with clan-like, reminiscent of Native American tribes. Orphans and Landeds are controlled by a computer AI known as Admin –part human and AI. It’s not made very clear in the beginning why the AI looks after the Orphans, but it’s implied that some of them become the AI.
The beginning of the book with the Orphan jargon is quite jarring and, unfortunately, and frustratingly, needs a lot of rereads. Had the book started with Hedge, it would have been more relatable and an easy digest for the reader. It took time to get used to and for me to understand and figure out the meaning of the jargon. I ended up quite lost and rereading dialogues after dialogue. Readers are, oh, so impatient these days, but it’s worth keeping at it as the three worlds are so well-described.
The Nomad world, which combines the physical/spatial freedom and the freedom of expression –both that Garland yearns for is not without its faults. The elders of the tribes/clans trust in the spirit instead of choosing modern medicine and facilities the Landed citizens have. Garland nearly dies from sickness.
Even though the story is well-developed and structured in three parts, I didn’t connect with any of the characters, but it was an enjoyable read nevertheless. Other than population crisis, it wasn’t very clear how the worlds came to recede to such Western-like (carriages drawn by horses). The climax of a competition about… performing left me quite baffled. Both protagonists are talented, one more flamboyant than the other. My expectations somewhat revolved around Garland fighting the main evil who stay in power by keeping the castes separate and each prejudiced against each other: Garland v/s Admin.
Train to Nowhere is set in a dystopian world in which a population crisis led to the three castes: Orphans, Landeds, and Nomads. The two main characters, Garland and Hedge, come from two different cultures. Orphan Garland lives on a train that travels aboveground permanently. Hedge lives among the Landeds, a relatively ‘more moral’ society than Orphan.
This coming-of-age story focuses on Garland who, naïve at first, has to grow as he’s thrust into the Landeds world and has to struggle to find out who he really is and where he belongs.
Hedge’s dark and manipulating nature is fascinating to read about while Garland comes out as indecisive and naïve.
The strength of the book lies in the world-building, from the interior of the Silver Snake to the Western World of the Landeds with carriages and horses to the Nomads with clan-like, reminiscent of Native American tribes. Orphans and Landeds are controlled by a computer AI known as Admin –part human and AI. It’s not made very clear in the beginning why the AI looks after the Orphans, but it’s implied that some of them become the AI.
The beginning of the book with the Orphan jargon is quite jarring and, unfortunately, and frustratingly, needs a lot of rereads. Had the book started with Hedge, it would have been more relatable and an easy digest for the reader. It took time to get used to and for me to understand and figure out the meaning of the jargon. I ended up quite lost and rereading dialogues after dialogue. Readers are, oh, so impatient these days, but it’s worth keeping at it as the three worlds are so well-described.
The Nomad world, which combines the physical/spatial freedom and the freedom of expression –both that Garland yearns for is not without its faults. The elders of the tribes/clans trust in the spirit instead of choosing modern medicine and facilities the Landed citizens have. Garland nearly dies from sickness.
Even though the story is well-developed and structured in three parts, I didn’t connect with any of the characters, but it was an enjoyable read nevertheless. Other than population crisis, it wasn’t very clear how the worlds came to recede to such Western-like (carriages drawn by horses). The climax of a competition about… performing left me quite baffled. Both protagonists are talented, one more flamboyant than the other. My expectations somewhat revolved around Garland fighting the main evil who stay in power by keeping the castes separate and each prejudiced against each other: Garland v/s Admin.
December 3, 2014
This absorbing novel is a sci-fi story mixed with an element of fantasy. In it the two main characters, Garland and Hedge, are in conflict through an event in their past which does not become obvious to the reader for quite a while. The Train to Nowhere is on a continuous journey with its “passengers” of Orphans and Landeds for reasons that are never explained. There is another community, Nomads, who are free to roam and trade “outside” the train. Garland feels a strong need to be free and to escape his controlled but comfortable life on the train. I liked the way that the author plunges the reader into life on the train and into the contrasting lives of Garland and Hedge. My curiosity about how this future came about led me to continue reading and the tale of each protagonist grabbed me from chapter 3. But I was disappointed not to find out what had caused the situation they were in. For example why was the train pulled by a team of 21 horses? And if there was no power available for transport how come there were computers everywhere, on and off the train, which would require much electricity? Had there been a catastrophe on Earth that led to overpopulation, or was overpopulation a major cause of this strange resulting stratification of society?
While I am a strong supporter of letting the characters in a book reveal the reasons behind the context in which they find themselves, I thought that there was not quite enough information given to explain some of the things that bothered me at the end. However, that is not to say that I didn’t enjoy Gloria Piper’s novel, because it was just that – novel! It was well written generally, with the exception of a couple of editing issues and the use of some expressions that did not sound correct. For example: “The trail faded at an upsurge in the prairie…” jarred my senses because “upsurge” is better referring to feelings rather than objects. And often characters “rotated” to look elsewhere when the simpler, more appropriate, verb “turned” sounds more “normal” and less like an acrobat.
I cared about Garland and was rooting for him and Mystery Rider right up to the last page. The relationship between these two and between Garland and Little Byte was very well done and Ms Piper shows a real talent for describing a characters inner thoughts and fears. There were many passages in the book when I would have liked to have seen fewer full stops and more commas and semi-colons etc. In other words a lot of times the frequent use of very many, very short, sentences had a kind of staccato effect which detracted from the descriptive flow of the scene portrayed on the page.
Fans of Orwell, Wyndham and Bradbury would enjoy this fascinating tale of conflict and sci-fi suspense. The imaginative use of computer terminology in everyday language, such as deleting and VR to mean dying and unreal; the skilful handling of emotions; and her originality for a tale well-told leads me to conclude that the author will attract many more fans in the future.
While I am a strong supporter of letting the characters in a book reveal the reasons behind the context in which they find themselves, I thought that there was not quite enough information given to explain some of the things that bothered me at the end. However, that is not to say that I didn’t enjoy Gloria Piper’s novel, because it was just that – novel! It was well written generally, with the exception of a couple of editing issues and the use of some expressions that did not sound correct. For example: “The trail faded at an upsurge in the prairie…” jarred my senses because “upsurge” is better referring to feelings rather than objects. And often characters “rotated” to look elsewhere when the simpler, more appropriate, verb “turned” sounds more “normal” and less like an acrobat.
I cared about Garland and was rooting for him and Mystery Rider right up to the last page. The relationship between these two and between Garland and Little Byte was very well done and Ms Piper shows a real talent for describing a characters inner thoughts and fears. There were many passages in the book when I would have liked to have seen fewer full stops and more commas and semi-colons etc. In other words a lot of times the frequent use of very many, very short, sentences had a kind of staccato effect which detracted from the descriptive flow of the scene portrayed on the page.
Fans of Orwell, Wyndham and Bradbury would enjoy this fascinating tale of conflict and sci-fi suspense. The imaginative use of computer terminology in everyday language, such as deleting and VR to mean dying and unreal; the skilful handling of emotions; and her originality for a tale well-told leads me to conclude that the author will attract many more fans in the future.
November 26, 2017
TRAIN TO NOWHERE is much darker than Piper's other books. It explores the roles placed on individuals by society. It's as if Huxley's BRAVE NEW WORLD and Twain's THE PRINCE AND THE PAUPER became intertwined. With the best ideas from both.
In the book we travel with Garland as he moves from the very structured Orphan society on the Train which is run by "The Admin", to the Landed society in the cities, which is ruled by public opinion (not informed opinion, just opinion) and the Nomads ruled by tradition.
There is a lot of depth in this book, but don't let that stop you from enjoying it. Its focus is firmly on the characters, mostly Garland and Hedge.
As a villain Hedge is great, he worked hard to get to his position in Landed society, so when his "Landed Privilege" all the soft advantages (or in this case not so soft) afforded to him by being raised in Landed society, are taken away he is angry at all those who have taken away the fruits of his labors. So he while being an entitled a-hole, he also does have a legitimate gripe, he did actual work hard to get his position.
Garland is the hero, but not a perfect hero, he is on the edge of ruthless in pursuit of his dream. Not really understanding the line between compromise and selling out, not that those around him make it easy.
All and all this is a very readable book with great depth.
In the book we travel with Garland as he moves from the very structured Orphan society on the Train which is run by "The Admin", to the Landed society in the cities, which is ruled by public opinion (not informed opinion, just opinion) and the Nomads ruled by tradition.
There is a lot of depth in this book, but don't let that stop you from enjoying it. Its focus is firmly on the characters, mostly Garland and Hedge.
As a villain Hedge is great, he worked hard to get to his position in Landed society, so when his "Landed Privilege" all the soft advantages (or in this case not so soft) afforded to him by being raised in Landed society, are taken away he is angry at all those who have taken away the fruits of his labors. So he while being an entitled a-hole, he also does have a legitimate gripe, he did actual work hard to get his position.
Garland is the hero, but not a perfect hero, he is on the edge of ruthless in pursuit of his dream. Not really understanding the line between compromise and selling out, not that those around him make it easy.
All and all this is a very readable book with great depth.
August 6, 2015
Train to Nowhere was an interesting and thought-provoking read. It has several strong components going for it, the most colorful of which is the setting (and how the setting is portrayed). The characters and plot are compelling, and the story is told in a fashion that is effective and crisp.
Diving right into the world building—one initial observation regarding the setting is the explicit yet smoothly integrated particulars embedded in the character dialogue. This vocabulary (perhaps slang), which appears relative to the setting/scene/character, is a quick and colorful introductory mechanism into the world. In parallel, other aspects of the setting, such as behaviors, practices, and scenery, are revealed at a more measured pace—like honey from a spoon. This pace allows the reader to become engrossed in such a way that the intricacies of this unfamiliar place became familiar and almost comfortable (like a hot bath done right, i.e. not entered abruptly).
The setting deserves an additional note due to its ingenious structure. There are three classes: Orphans, Landed, and Nomad; the classes are (purposefully) both culturally and geographically separate entities (note: the Orphans and Nomads are primarily mobile), and one wonders throughout the book whether or not these classes are ‘equal’ to each other, which seems to be a thematic question posed to the reader. For example, the Orphans ride on a train for life (for all practical purposes) but have the best of technology at their fingertips, whereas the nomads wander under the broad skies, but live a harsher, more basic life than the Orphans—so which is preferred?
I may have missed it, but the fundamental reason for the existence of the three classes was never quite clear to me. (Though it is stated that the existence of the Orphans is based on the fact that only one child is permitted per couple, and therefore additional children must be moved to the Orphan trains—so it was not an entire mystery). The reader can make some logical assumptions in any case. Foremost it appears that the region (or world) is in post-apocalyptic recovery, which has potentially forced the formation of the three cultures. But what of their behaviors? The differing behavioral expectations of the classes, while mysterious to me, was fertile ground for conflict, and compelling for that reason. Examples include anything from jealousy of another culture’s privileges (this is explored through Garland, the Orphan who wants to leave the train for Outside) to the challenges of cultural cross-over (there are times when the classes actually do cross paths, which creates an interesting dynamic between them).
As previously noted, Train to Nowhere’s world has depth and complexity, but of course the story is not about the world itself—that simply acts as a successful framework for the characters and plot. The characters are interesting, and though it seems that they can be (at times) somewhat one-dimensional (other than the protagonist, Garland, who’s complexity exists in his struggle to determine what he truly wants out of life), this does not come across as an oversight but rather a deliberate choice by the author—meaning that most of the characters have straight-forward interests and desires (which very well may be a reflection of the cultures they have been brought up in). Case in point, the two primary characters are Garland (an Orphan), and Hedge (a Landed—which is a stationary, Amish-like class sprinkled with progressive culture and technology). Both are musicians, and both live in separate class structures, yet share similar desires (expressed in different ways)—put simply, to improve their circumstances. This motivation is pretty clear-cut and singular for Hedge. For Garland (the protagonist), positive change is initially represented by a desire to ‘escape’ from his life as an Orphan on the Orphan Train, and to explore and live among the ‘freedom’ of the sunlit world—but not only does it take time for to truly become a passion (and not just a fancy), it grows in complexity as he experiences the world. For Hedge, the Landed, change is represented by his desire to climb the ‘corporate’ ladder of his Guild, and become one of (or perhaps ‘the’) most famous entertainer/musician among Landed society. Their twin paths continue in parallel, until fatefully their tracks ultimately collide, sending each into new and unexpected territory. Both are ripped from their familiar comforts and confronted with new and trying circumstances, from which challenges and opportunity arise. In this way, the novel explores the fertile ground of cultural cross-over, a compelling struggle to shadow as an observer.
In general, there are times when I would have preferred some quicker pacing, and (in an almost counter request) an opportunity to smell, taste and truly feel what the characters were smelling, tasting and feeling—the descriptions as they stand were effective (and as I said, the world itself was genius), but at times the expressions could have been more evocative (for me). That said, following these characters (and the ensemble cast they intersect with throughout the book) brings the reader along a thought-provoking journey—not only because of the character arcs and inevitable interwoven climax between the main players, but also because of the world that is revealed to the reader through their eyes, and its implications not only to them, but translated back to us, the readers, as any meaningful work will do.
Diving right into the world building—one initial observation regarding the setting is the explicit yet smoothly integrated particulars embedded in the character dialogue. This vocabulary (perhaps slang), which appears relative to the setting/scene/character, is a quick and colorful introductory mechanism into the world. In parallel, other aspects of the setting, such as behaviors, practices, and scenery, are revealed at a more measured pace—like honey from a spoon. This pace allows the reader to become engrossed in such a way that the intricacies of this unfamiliar place became familiar and almost comfortable (like a hot bath done right, i.e. not entered abruptly).
The setting deserves an additional note due to its ingenious structure. There are three classes: Orphans, Landed, and Nomad; the classes are (purposefully) both culturally and geographically separate entities (note: the Orphans and Nomads are primarily mobile), and one wonders throughout the book whether or not these classes are ‘equal’ to each other, which seems to be a thematic question posed to the reader. For example, the Orphans ride on a train for life (for all practical purposes) but have the best of technology at their fingertips, whereas the nomads wander under the broad skies, but live a harsher, more basic life than the Orphans—so which is preferred?
I may have missed it, but the fundamental reason for the existence of the three classes was never quite clear to me. (Though it is stated that the existence of the Orphans is based on the fact that only one child is permitted per couple, and therefore additional children must be moved to the Orphan trains—so it was not an entire mystery). The reader can make some logical assumptions in any case. Foremost it appears that the region (or world) is in post-apocalyptic recovery, which has potentially forced the formation of the three cultures. But what of their behaviors? The differing behavioral expectations of the classes, while mysterious to me, was fertile ground for conflict, and compelling for that reason. Examples include anything from jealousy of another culture’s privileges (this is explored through Garland, the Orphan who wants to leave the train for Outside) to the challenges of cultural cross-over (there are times when the classes actually do cross paths, which creates an interesting dynamic between them).
As previously noted, Train to Nowhere’s world has depth and complexity, but of course the story is not about the world itself—that simply acts as a successful framework for the characters and plot. The characters are interesting, and though it seems that they can be (at times) somewhat one-dimensional (other than the protagonist, Garland, who’s complexity exists in his struggle to determine what he truly wants out of life), this does not come across as an oversight but rather a deliberate choice by the author—meaning that most of the characters have straight-forward interests and desires (which very well may be a reflection of the cultures they have been brought up in). Case in point, the two primary characters are Garland (an Orphan), and Hedge (a Landed—which is a stationary, Amish-like class sprinkled with progressive culture and technology). Both are musicians, and both live in separate class structures, yet share similar desires (expressed in different ways)—put simply, to improve their circumstances. This motivation is pretty clear-cut and singular for Hedge. For Garland (the protagonist), positive change is initially represented by a desire to ‘escape’ from his life as an Orphan on the Orphan Train, and to explore and live among the ‘freedom’ of the sunlit world—but not only does it take time for to truly become a passion (and not just a fancy), it grows in complexity as he experiences the world. For Hedge, the Landed, change is represented by his desire to climb the ‘corporate’ ladder of his Guild, and become one of (or perhaps ‘the’) most famous entertainer/musician among Landed society. Their twin paths continue in parallel, until fatefully their tracks ultimately collide, sending each into new and unexpected territory. Both are ripped from their familiar comforts and confronted with new and trying circumstances, from which challenges and opportunity arise. In this way, the novel explores the fertile ground of cultural cross-over, a compelling struggle to shadow as an observer.
In general, there are times when I would have preferred some quicker pacing, and (in an almost counter request) an opportunity to smell, taste and truly feel what the characters were smelling, tasting and feeling—the descriptions as they stand were effective (and as I said, the world itself was genius), but at times the expressions could have been more evocative (for me). That said, following these characters (and the ensemble cast they intersect with throughout the book) brings the reader along a thought-provoking journey—not only because of the character arcs and inevitable interwoven climax between the main players, but also because of the world that is revealed to the reader through their eyes, and its implications not only to them, but translated back to us, the readers, as any meaningful work will do.
February 26, 2013
Today I have another book that is kind of hard for me to review, not in a bad way, mind you..but so much to absorb and to find the right words to give it justice. Today’s review is a book by Gloria Piper, “Train to Nowhere.”
Have you ever rode a train before? There are usually several stops as passengers disembark for their different destinations. Now think of a train where no one gets off, there are no stops, no destination in sight. That is because this train is in the distant future and it is not a mode of transportation, but a world. This is a world made up of three castes: The Orphans, The Landed, and the Nomads; where only the Orphans and Landed reside. The Nomads are on the Outside.
The Orphans, or illegally born, may only occupy the lower deck while the Landed and Admin occupy the upper decks.They are not allowed in the upper deck of the Landed, but the Landed visit and watch their performances. Admin is the group that rules the train, and use a form of mind control domination through wrist computers, or wristcomps, that are worn by every Orphan. It is manned by a computerized adviser, Mentor.
It begins a little slow, describing the world of the Orphans through one of the main characters, Garland, a musician and dancer. Garland longs to be adopted and allowed to live with the Landed on the upper deck. The Landed are an Amish type. His dream is being free. More than even the upper deck, he would like to be on the Outside, free of the train altogether.
The second main character, Hedge, is the total opposite of Garland. He too, is a performer, but he is willing to step on anyone to get ahead, and does. He is talented and loved by the audience, which saves him on numerous occasions. He is a member of the Landed. When they each experience the other’s world, it is a culture shock for both of them.
I thought the premise of this story was great. The interactions between the characters worked well. The characters were developed and it was a good story. The problem I had was a lot of the terminology. Everything on the Orphan side was computer talk that sometimes was a bit over the top. It sometimes detracted from the story, but other than that, I did quite like it. It is a totally different genre than what I would normally read, but I enjoyed it. Yet, at the same time I was disturbed by the thought of this really happening in our future. It does give you food for thought.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a digital copy of this book free from the author. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Have you ever rode a train before? There are usually several stops as passengers disembark for their different destinations. Now think of a train where no one gets off, there are no stops, no destination in sight. That is because this train is in the distant future and it is not a mode of transportation, but a world. This is a world made up of three castes: The Orphans, The Landed, and the Nomads; where only the Orphans and Landed reside. The Nomads are on the Outside.
The Orphans, or illegally born, may only occupy the lower deck while the Landed and Admin occupy the upper decks.They are not allowed in the upper deck of the Landed, but the Landed visit and watch their performances. Admin is the group that rules the train, and use a form of mind control domination through wrist computers, or wristcomps, that are worn by every Orphan. It is manned by a computerized adviser, Mentor.
It begins a little slow, describing the world of the Orphans through one of the main characters, Garland, a musician and dancer. Garland longs to be adopted and allowed to live with the Landed on the upper deck. The Landed are an Amish type. His dream is being free. More than even the upper deck, he would like to be on the Outside, free of the train altogether.
The second main character, Hedge, is the total opposite of Garland. He too, is a performer, but he is willing to step on anyone to get ahead, and does. He is talented and loved by the audience, which saves him on numerous occasions. He is a member of the Landed. When they each experience the other’s world, it is a culture shock for both of them.
I thought the premise of this story was great. The interactions between the characters worked well. The characters were developed and it was a good story. The problem I had was a lot of the terminology. Everything on the Orphan side was computer talk that sometimes was a bit over the top. It sometimes detracted from the story, but other than that, I did quite like it. It is a totally different genre than what I would normally read, but I enjoyed it. Yet, at the same time I was disturbed by the thought of this really happening in our future. It does give you food for thought.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a digital copy of this book free from the author. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
July 6, 2013
Outstanding!
Train to Nowhere is YA Dystopian at its finest. The story opens with Garland "venting his frustration" in a performance with his partner, Little Byte. The theme: Outside, anywhere outside! The euphoria is short lived, however, when reality snaps him into post-performance depression. His friends, especially the librarian Dos and Little Byte, try to cheer him up. But rumors that his already claustrophobic world will soon shrink even further fill his mind, for Garland is an Orphan, illegally born and fated to live out his entire life on one of the Orphan trains, never to see the sky, feel the wind on his face, or know true freedom. Sure, he can pull them up on the view screen in his room, but it will always be VR (virtual reality).
Most Orphans are content with their lot, but Garland remembers a time when he wasn't on the train: sunshine through a window, a blue quilt, a companion. Unlike the others, Garland remembers the outside. The games, the diversions, and the "jobs" given orphans to placate them are not enough when freedom is all he desires. Then, he learns that his friend Dos has a plan to escape.
Meanwhile, another musician, this one Landed, looks over his domain in utter triumph. Having clawed over his colleagues through guile and deceit, Hedge stands ready to advance in the ranks of the illustrious Golden Performers Guild. Nothing and no one can stand in his way, especially if he has anything to do about it.
The story is riveting, the three castes (Orphan, Landed and Nomad) are fully developed and intriguing, and Admin is terrifying. Admin cares, or does it? The question haunts Garland throughout his adventures and misadventures. Fundamental beliefs about security vs. freedom are explored. Garland's quest to find where he belongs and who he really is under all the programming keeps you guessing until the very end. Enemies, both internal and external, challenge him at every turn.
I loved this book and have to rate it a solid five stars. If I could rate it higher, I wouldn't hesitate to do so. The quirky lingo of the Orphans, the character names derived from old computer terms, the sinister enemies and the unique caste culture hooked me from the start and kept me entranced until the utterly satisfying end.
I would recommend this book to lovers of ya dystopian books, like Hunger Games or Moon Dwellers, as well as sci fi fans who are looking for something different (no spaceships, but the train is pretty close).
I am grateful to have received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest, non-reciprocal review.
Train to Nowhere is YA Dystopian at its finest. The story opens with Garland "venting his frustration" in a performance with his partner, Little Byte. The theme: Outside, anywhere outside! The euphoria is short lived, however, when reality snaps him into post-performance depression. His friends, especially the librarian Dos and Little Byte, try to cheer him up. But rumors that his already claustrophobic world will soon shrink even further fill his mind, for Garland is an Orphan, illegally born and fated to live out his entire life on one of the Orphan trains, never to see the sky, feel the wind on his face, or know true freedom. Sure, he can pull them up on the view screen in his room, but it will always be VR (virtual reality).
Most Orphans are content with their lot, but Garland remembers a time when he wasn't on the train: sunshine through a window, a blue quilt, a companion. Unlike the others, Garland remembers the outside. The games, the diversions, and the "jobs" given orphans to placate them are not enough when freedom is all he desires. Then, he learns that his friend Dos has a plan to escape.
Meanwhile, another musician, this one Landed, looks over his domain in utter triumph. Having clawed over his colleagues through guile and deceit, Hedge stands ready to advance in the ranks of the illustrious Golden Performers Guild. Nothing and no one can stand in his way, especially if he has anything to do about it.
The story is riveting, the three castes (Orphan, Landed and Nomad) are fully developed and intriguing, and Admin is terrifying. Admin cares, or does it? The question haunts Garland throughout his adventures and misadventures. Fundamental beliefs about security vs. freedom are explored. Garland's quest to find where he belongs and who he really is under all the programming keeps you guessing until the very end. Enemies, both internal and external, challenge him at every turn.
I loved this book and have to rate it a solid five stars. If I could rate it higher, I wouldn't hesitate to do so. The quirky lingo of the Orphans, the character names derived from old computer terms, the sinister enemies and the unique caste culture hooked me from the start and kept me entranced until the utterly satisfying end.
I would recommend this book to lovers of ya dystopian books, like Hunger Games or Moon Dwellers, as well as sci fi fans who are looking for something different (no spaceships, but the train is pretty close).
I am grateful to have received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest, non-reciprocal review.
January 11, 2013
Train to Nowhere strikes me as a fiction book about culture shock. Once you get into the story, the world of the trains is fascinating, but as the character grapple with their own culture shock, the reader feels the pressure of trying to understand the viewpoints of the characters birthed by these clashing cultures. The two main characters, Garland and Hedge, come from vastly different cultures, and the book switches between their points of view. The world is post-apocalyptic with a strong rule, but I was fascinated that this wasn’t judged as bad, just as different, and that events in the past led to the divisions in the cultures portrayed in the story. So, while this could be considered dystopian, I would regard it more like fantasy or science fiction with a post-apocalyptic twist.
Hedge comes from a Amish-like culture. As a character, he is compelling, with such strong flaws that you can’t help but wonder where his story is going. Garland is from a more science fiction-influenced rave culture, with relaxed boundaries compared to the more moral population of Hedge’s culture. I had a little more trouble becoming enveloped in Garland’s story, because I felt like he was too naive at times. Perhaps that’s my own cynical nature in conflict. There is a third culture, the Nomads, which are styled from tribal societies, but it is awhile in the book before we learn more about them. The three cultures are generally kept separate, and rarely mix, which causes the dramatic sense of culture shock for both of the main characters, and the readers by extension.
The change of points of view was a little startling, but showed the cultures from their own perspectives. There was enough time before each switch to ingrain the reader into the character, which is a weakness of other books I’ve read in a similar style. I do think the culture shock may be too great for some readers, and that might frighten them away. It might have been easier to have Hedge introduce the reader into the book, as his culture is more familiar to modern readers than the cultures of the Orphans.
I didn’t notice any glaring grammatical or spelling mistakes. This book seems well-edited, and the format worked fine on my Kindle Fire.
Hedge comes from a Amish-like culture. As a character, he is compelling, with such strong flaws that you can’t help but wonder where his story is going. Garland is from a more science fiction-influenced rave culture, with relaxed boundaries compared to the more moral population of Hedge’s culture. I had a little more trouble becoming enveloped in Garland’s story, because I felt like he was too naive at times. Perhaps that’s my own cynical nature in conflict. There is a third culture, the Nomads, which are styled from tribal societies, but it is awhile in the book before we learn more about them. The three cultures are generally kept separate, and rarely mix, which causes the dramatic sense of culture shock for both of the main characters, and the readers by extension.
The change of points of view was a little startling, but showed the cultures from their own perspectives. There was enough time before each switch to ingrain the reader into the character, which is a weakness of other books I’ve read in a similar style. I do think the culture shock may be too great for some readers, and that might frighten them away. It might have been easier to have Hedge introduce the reader into the book, as his culture is more familiar to modern readers than the cultures of the Orphans.
I didn’t notice any glaring grammatical or spelling mistakes. This book seems well-edited, and the format worked fine on my Kindle Fire.
December 27, 2015
Train to Nowhere is set in a distant future in which humanity has been divided into three distinct castes: Orphans, Landeds and Nomads. Forced to live out their lives in endlessly circling trains with no access to the outside, Orphans – the illegitimate children of Landeds – are the unwanted. Although Orphan society is the most technologically advanced of the three, their freedoms are severely impinged by Mentor, a computer programme that controls almost every aspect of their lives. Landeds, on the other hand, have unrestricted access to the outside and can even holiday on Orphan trains. They regard themselves as superior, but live in a puritanical, low-tech society that does not permit sex before marriage, frowns upon flamboyant clothing and has returned to horse power as the primary source of transport. Nomads live outside the system and, as the name suggests, spend their lives roaming from place to place in small tribes or clans. While the freest of the castes, Nomads are subject to the disadvantages of disease, wild animal attacks and the other dangers of their migratory lifestyles.
The story unfolds through the eyes of two brothers, both musicians. Garland is an Orphan and, like most of his kind, yearns to escape the train and experience the outside first-hand. When it is revealed that his adopted parents had an illegal second child – Hedge – the pair are made to swap places, with Garland becoming Landed and a vengeful Hedge taking his place on the train.
The book is highly original, well written and tackles some interesting themes, such as identity and belonging. Both the innocent Garland and the ruthlessly ambitious Hedge are well characterised and engaging, with strong personal motivations driving their actions. I would have liked to know a bit more about circumstances that gave rise to this society. While the subject is touched upon, I felt it could have been more fully developed. This is a minor quibble, however, and overall I was hugely impressed by Train to Nowhere. I would have no hesitation in recommending this book to other readers, and will keep an eye out for more of this author’s work.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The story unfolds through the eyes of two brothers, both musicians. Garland is an Orphan and, like most of his kind, yearns to escape the train and experience the outside first-hand. When it is revealed that his adopted parents had an illegal second child – Hedge – the pair are made to swap places, with Garland becoming Landed and a vengeful Hedge taking his place on the train.
The book is highly original, well written and tackles some interesting themes, such as identity and belonging. Both the innocent Garland and the ruthlessly ambitious Hedge are well characterised and engaging, with strong personal motivations driving their actions. I would have liked to know a bit more about circumstances that gave rise to this society. While the subject is touched upon, I felt it could have been more fully developed. This is a minor quibble, however, and overall I was hugely impressed by Train to Nowhere. I would have no hesitation in recommending this book to other readers, and will keep an eye out for more of this author’s work.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
October 31, 2013
"This is your destiny, your world, oh Orphan. You cannot escape."
With this sub-title Gloria Piper sets up a dystopian future where a caste system rules the planet. Admins are at the top of the chain with Landeds and Orphans finding their place respectively. Separate from them all are the Nomads.
The story centers on Garland, an Orphan who is relegated to the Sun Train after being elevated from the Sub Train. At all costs, the Orphans want to stay off the Hive Train. The voice of the Admin, a computer named Mentor, lulls the Orphans into a feeling of safety and security while providing for all their needs; thus leaving no reason to want to leave. Garland is an entertainer with a desire to find his way outside the Train. In the process we meet Little Byte, Dos, Tillman, Hedge and a full cast of characters as he proceeds on his journey.
The language of the Orphans consists of the use of digital technology jargon to describe and name things. One quickly falls into the vernacular and it all makes perfect sense. It all culminates in a duel between Garland and Hedge, after each has experienced a number of harrowing situations.
Piper's rich, descriptive language quickly creates a world and inhabitants that are both believable and palpable. Her narrative is almost poetic in its beauty and elegance. The story arc for the plot and characters is well crafted and developed. This book should be read, even it it is only to experience her ability to use the English language to bring the world she writes about to life.
I highly recommend this novel to anyone who has an interest in dystopian works...or just wants to read a beautifully crafted piece of work.
Norm Hamilton
Author of The Digital Eye and the soon to be released From Thine Own Well
Indie Writer Book Reviews
Services for Writers
Website
email: Norm Hamilton
With this sub-title Gloria Piper sets up a dystopian future where a caste system rules the planet. Admins are at the top of the chain with Landeds and Orphans finding their place respectively. Separate from them all are the Nomads.
The story centers on Garland, an Orphan who is relegated to the Sun Train after being elevated from the Sub Train. At all costs, the Orphans want to stay off the Hive Train. The voice of the Admin, a computer named Mentor, lulls the Orphans into a feeling of safety and security while providing for all their needs; thus leaving no reason to want to leave. Garland is an entertainer with a desire to find his way outside the Train. In the process we meet Little Byte, Dos, Tillman, Hedge and a full cast of characters as he proceeds on his journey.
The language of the Orphans consists of the use of digital technology jargon to describe and name things. One quickly falls into the vernacular and it all makes perfect sense. It all culminates in a duel between Garland and Hedge, after each has experienced a number of harrowing situations.
Piper's rich, descriptive language quickly creates a world and inhabitants that are both believable and palpable. Her narrative is almost poetic in its beauty and elegance. The story arc for the plot and characters is well crafted and developed. This book should be read, even it it is only to experience her ability to use the English language to bring the world she writes about to life.
I highly recommend this novel to anyone who has an interest in dystopian works...or just wants to read a beautifully crafted piece of work.
Norm Hamilton
Author of The Digital Eye and the soon to be released From Thine Own Well
Indie Writer Book Reviews
Services for Writers
Website
email: Norm Hamilton
October 12, 2015
This book has a lot of good things going for it. First and foremost are the characters, who are well designed and relatable. You can’t help but feel for Garland as he fights between the desire to leave the train and wanting to be with his friends. Or be nervous for him when he finally manages to get into the larger world. The reader is also given a counter in the form of Hedge, who you can’t help but root against.
While I really did like this book, it hit two things which are pet peeves of mine. One is the instant immersion in the world. While I get what is being attempted, when the language is so much different than ours, using technology terms in place of everyday words, it comes off as jarring and makes it hard for the reader to pay attention to the beginning of the story. The second issue is the language itself. I definitely get what is being attempted with the use of language in this book, but every time someone said “deleted” instead of removed or “boot up” instead of wake up, it pulled me out of the story a little bit.
As I said, these are really pet peeves of mine and I know many readers will not find fault with this. Train to Nowhere is a good read. In spite of having issues with some of the structure of the book, the story was able to carry me through to the end and I enjoyed my time in the world of the Orphans and the Landed.
http://homeofreading.com/train-to-nowhere/
While I really did like this book, it hit two things which are pet peeves of mine. One is the instant immersion in the world. While I get what is being attempted, when the language is so much different than ours, using technology terms in place of everyday words, it comes off as jarring and makes it hard for the reader to pay attention to the beginning of the story. The second issue is the language itself. I definitely get what is being attempted with the use of language in this book, but every time someone said “deleted” instead of removed or “boot up” instead of wake up, it pulled me out of the story a little bit.
As I said, these are really pet peeves of mine and I know many readers will not find fault with this. Train to Nowhere is a good read. In spite of having issues with some of the structure of the book, the story was able to carry me through to the end and I enjoyed my time in the world of the Orphans and the Landed.
http://homeofreading.com/train-to-nowhere/
June 24, 2015
This is one of the most enjoyable Sci-Fi books I've read - a thoroughly absorbing and unique story in three parts. Gloria Piper is a writer of great skill and has created a fascinating world of four very different segments of a society set in a distant future.
The main character, Garland, belongs to a class called 'Orphans' who spend their lives in cramped conditions in a perpetually moving train and are looked after by computer-caretakers managed by big-brother-like 'admin'. The character names and vocabulary in the first part of the story are mainly based on programming terms, e.g. Dos, Little Byte, Wysiwig. For me, this was great and I found myself looking for the next phrase or character with delight. Others may find this a little strange, but please persevere - it's worth it!
I found myself invested in the world and its characters. I loved the characterization of Little Byte, Garlands dance partner, and her unique/delightful mannerisms and language.
The plot is sound (no spoilers) and the story drags you along with it. Ms Piper writes with skill and flair – her descriptions are superb.
You can probably tell, Train to Nowhere really pulled me in. I would recommend it to any lover of Science Fiction, or just those who like a good yarn.
I was provided with a copy of this book in return for an honest review.
The main character, Garland, belongs to a class called 'Orphans' who spend their lives in cramped conditions in a perpetually moving train and are looked after by computer-caretakers managed by big-brother-like 'admin'. The character names and vocabulary in the first part of the story are mainly based on programming terms, e.g. Dos, Little Byte, Wysiwig. For me, this was great and I found myself looking for the next phrase or character with delight. Others may find this a little strange, but please persevere - it's worth it!
I found myself invested in the world and its characters. I loved the characterization of Little Byte, Garlands dance partner, and her unique/delightful mannerisms and language.
The plot is sound (no spoilers) and the story drags you along with it. Ms Piper writes with skill and flair – her descriptions are superb.
You can probably tell, Train to Nowhere really pulled me in. I would recommend it to any lover of Science Fiction, or just those who like a good yarn.
I was provided with a copy of this book in return for an honest review.
February 14, 2014
For those that enjoy classic literature situations - good vs. evil, pressures of not fitting in, social injustice, class pressures - Train to Nowhere is exactly what they are wanting. For those that like those situations with a twist, Train to Nowhere delivers in a big way.
Train to Nowhere follows two estranged brothers, Garland and Hedge. They begin in opposite worlds and through a series of events stretching back decades are forced to switch places. What ensues is each trying to find a way in their new surroundings, full of all the usual self-doubt and uncertainty that comes with it.
What really sets this book apart though is the world that Ms. Piper has created. These are recognizable and relatable ordeals the characters face, but they are delivered in a manner that keeps the reader wanting more. The settings, from the interior of the Silver Snake to the plains of the Nomads, are relayed with vivid detail and the characters are well-developed and unique.
An enjoyable read from start to finish. Highly recommended.
Train to Nowhere follows two estranged brothers, Garland and Hedge. They begin in opposite worlds and through a series of events stretching back decades are forced to switch places. What ensues is each trying to find a way in their new surroundings, full of all the usual self-doubt and uncertainty that comes with it.
What really sets this book apart though is the world that Ms. Piper has created. These are recognizable and relatable ordeals the characters face, but they are delivered in a manner that keeps the reader wanting more. The settings, from the interior of the Silver Snake to the plains of the Nomads, are relayed with vivid detail and the characters are well-developed and unique.
An enjoyable read from start to finish. Highly recommended.
August 9, 2016
Train to Nowhere is a wonderfully painted dystopian world, as brightly realized as the styles of the Orphans portrayed within it. It is very much a story of culture shock, and author Piper drops the reader in the middle of it, with no compass or backstory. This is disorienting in the beginning, but feels right as the story goes on as it gives the reader a sense of what Garland and Hedge are going through. The characters are well developed and I think those who enjoy dystopian type stories will find this twist on them an engrossing read.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
February 1, 2015
A sci-fi with trains and horses - in exactly that order - about a dystopian society created by humans when they saw our world at a crossroads of shrinking population. The new world order is run by Admin (part machine, part-human) and consists of 3 groups of people with unclear functions: ‘Orphans’ who ride a self-propelled train for eternity, only seeing simulations of land. Some of them are groomed to take over as Admin staff. We are introduced to the hero Garland who is an Orphan, a singing artist with a female partner Little Byte. He is also student of Dos who is a librarian and fitness guru. He dreams of jumping off the train and seeing the world. He can’t.
The second group of people are called ‘Landed’ (who ride trains that are pulled by 21 horses but they get off and hold jobs as farmers, shopkeepers, solar energy workers etc.). Hedge is the villain, and at 19 he is 6 months younger to Garland. He is an excellent performer (who cheats his way up the ranks), has a solo act dancing and playing violin, and is part of prestigious Golden Performers Guild. He is happy where he is.
The third group is that of ‘Nomads’ (who live in the wild - think the Wild West and Native Americans).
Orphans and Landed are ‘scored’ by Admin and take orders from computers ‘Mentor’ and ‘Landed Authority’ respectively which hand out rewards and punishments while Nomads have to fend for themselves and have their own spiritual guide / Authority called ‘That-Who-Knows’.
Admin lives in a hidden city beneath them all in an underground station.
The conflict in the story arises when Admin finds out the truth about Hedge: that his Landed parents were given a child to raise and that child was Garland and that the parents did not accept this decision. They procreated to have Hedge and when he turned three they bribed some record keeper into changing the fate of Garland: who was thrown on the Orphan train. So technically, Hedge is living a life not meant for him and not ordained by the Admin. The Authority sets out to ‘right the wrong’ and banishes Hedge to Orphan train and replaces him in Landed with Garland. This makes Hedge angry, resentful and vengeful - he wants nothing more than to get his place in the Guild back, even if he has to kill a few people on the way. Garland, however, is happy because he gets to breathe in open air for once and not just that - he soon runs off to be with Nomads, enter into a marriage of convenience with Mystery Rider, falls for her and the Nomad way of life.
The showdown between the two seemed whimsical to me - instead of guns, swords, blows or even mental gimmickry, Garland and Hedge have a duel of songs and violin-playing! But it’s Piper’s world and it’s original.
I received a free copy of the book in exchange for a fair, unbiased and non-reciprocal review.
The second group of people are called ‘Landed’ (who ride trains that are pulled by 21 horses but they get off and hold jobs as farmers, shopkeepers, solar energy workers etc.). Hedge is the villain, and at 19 he is 6 months younger to Garland. He is an excellent performer (who cheats his way up the ranks), has a solo act dancing and playing violin, and is part of prestigious Golden Performers Guild. He is happy where he is.
The third group is that of ‘Nomads’ (who live in the wild - think the Wild West and Native Americans).
Orphans and Landed are ‘scored’ by Admin and take orders from computers ‘Mentor’ and ‘Landed Authority’ respectively which hand out rewards and punishments while Nomads have to fend for themselves and have their own spiritual guide / Authority called ‘That-Who-Knows’.
Admin lives in a hidden city beneath them all in an underground station.
The conflict in the story arises when Admin finds out the truth about Hedge: that his Landed parents were given a child to raise and that child was Garland and that the parents did not accept this decision. They procreated to have Hedge and when he turned three they bribed some record keeper into changing the fate of Garland: who was thrown on the Orphan train. So technically, Hedge is living a life not meant for him and not ordained by the Admin. The Authority sets out to ‘right the wrong’ and banishes Hedge to Orphan train and replaces him in Landed with Garland. This makes Hedge angry, resentful and vengeful - he wants nothing more than to get his place in the Guild back, even if he has to kill a few people on the way. Garland, however, is happy because he gets to breathe in open air for once and not just that - he soon runs off to be with Nomads, enter into a marriage of convenience with Mystery Rider, falls for her and the Nomad way of life.
The showdown between the two seemed whimsical to me - instead of guns, swords, blows or even mental gimmickry, Garland and Hedge have a duel of songs and violin-playing! But it’s Piper’s world and it’s original.
I received a free copy of the book in exchange for a fair, unbiased and non-reciprocal review.
March 14, 2015
When first peeled through the title, it has the pessimistic theme, the train should always go somewhere, move ahead, come around, with a destination... What happened to the train to nowhere? What kind of story would it be? Who are the passengers? Where do they come from and what are their dream, hope and destination of taking the train…..
It is a book well blends the science fiction theme with dystopian style, when walking through the content, the tone is more positive than what the title shows: Be a dreamer, no matter who you are, where you come from, there are opportunities, freedom and hope worth fighting for.
In detail, Ms. Pipers well imagined a train with its passengers of orphans, they were the victim of their parents’sins, their lives seem to get stuck in the isolated train without clear destination. However, when walking through those characters, vivid, energetic and even talented youth, it is not a depressing tragedy, but an interesting sci-fi, from Little Byte to Admin; from boot camp to Dos, those computer jargons do provide me a “comfort zone,” even it’s not the type of book I read a lot….Could you imagine those orphans, just like the “orphan apps,” even live at the era of digital, they got little chance to “brighten up.” Still, the open platform and digital alternatives provide better possibility for them to strive for.
It is the story full of conflict, competition, struggle and friendship. and this is the beauty of sci-fi, because you don’t need to limit your own imagination to re-imagine the plot, the metaphors make the story profound; the futuristic perception amplifies the theme of story and let you ponder more, to connect with social reality, but also fly away from it…
It is a book well blends the science fiction theme with dystopian style, when walking through the content, the tone is more positive than what the title shows: Be a dreamer, no matter who you are, where you come from, there are opportunities, freedom and hope worth fighting for.
In detail, Ms. Pipers well imagined a train with its passengers of orphans, they were the victim of their parents’sins, their lives seem to get stuck in the isolated train without clear destination. However, when walking through those characters, vivid, energetic and even talented youth, it is not a depressing tragedy, but an interesting sci-fi, from Little Byte to Admin; from boot camp to Dos, those computer jargons do provide me a “comfort zone,” even it’s not the type of book I read a lot….Could you imagine those orphans, just like the “orphan apps,” even live at the era of digital, they got little chance to “brighten up.” Still, the open platform and digital alternatives provide better possibility for them to strive for.
It is the story full of conflict, competition, struggle and friendship. and this is the beauty of sci-fi, because you don’t need to limit your own imagination to re-imagine the plot, the metaphors make the story profound; the futuristic perception amplifies the theme of story and let you ponder more, to connect with social reality, but also fly away from it…
August 30, 2015
Train to Nowhere is a dystopian novel set in the future, I’m guessing. It’s not really explained.
Couples in this world are allowed only one child, (sounds like a communist society) while the unwanted babies are sent to live out their lives on the Orphan Train. The orphans are split into three groups: The Orphans, Landed, and Nomads. They live in a kind of virtual reality. How they are chosen for a specific group wasn’t clear to me.
A thing to consider was that there isn’t really an explanation of how this world came to be. I also thought it was kind of humorous that the train had to be pushed by horses. Why?? I never got that.
Garland and Hedge are the book’s main characters. They come from different backgrounds – Garland is part of the Orphans (the least privileged) and Hedge is part of the Landed (a freer clan). Their paths inevitably cross–think something like a dystopian version of The Prince and the Pauper.
Garland’s carefree and kind of an airhead at times, but I liked him. Hedge is more self-centered and ambitious. Garland dreams of escaping the Orphan Train altogether, while Hedge wants to move up in the clans.
I don’t really like books where the povs switch, but I guess it was necessary for the reader to learn about the different groups. I liked reading about the Nomads, anyhoo.
Couples in this world are allowed only one child, (sounds like a communist society) while the unwanted babies are sent to live out their lives on the Orphan Train. The orphans are split into three groups: The Orphans, Landed, and Nomads. They live in a kind of virtual reality. How they are chosen for a specific group wasn’t clear to me.
A thing to consider was that there isn’t really an explanation of how this world came to be. I also thought it was kind of humorous that the train had to be pushed by horses. Why?? I never got that.
Garland and Hedge are the book’s main characters. They come from different backgrounds – Garland is part of the Orphans (the least privileged) and Hedge is part of the Landed (a freer clan). Their paths inevitably cross–think something like a dystopian version of The Prince and the Pauper.
Garland’s carefree and kind of an airhead at times, but I liked him. Hedge is more self-centered and ambitious. Garland dreams of escaping the Orphan Train altogether, while Hedge wants to move up in the clans.
I don’t really like books where the povs switch, but I guess it was necessary for the reader to learn about the different groups. I liked reading about the Nomads, anyhoo.
October 1, 2013
I thought Train to Nowhere was interesting. I enjoyed the world that the author created and actually I was a little disappointed that it wasn't explored as fully as I thought it could have been. I enjoyed the writing style though, it was clear, straightforward and engaging. I especially liked the terms of slang she peppered throughout the dialogue, it gave the story a lot of authenticity and helped me to immerse myself in the world.
The book is split into three parts. The first two parts I found very interesting but I'm sad to say the third part lost me a little. It felt like there was a more epic story in there somewhere and I would have preferred to read that. I think part of the problem was that I didn't feel particularly invested in the character the story eventually focused on. However, I did enjoy the parallels drawn between Garland and Hedge and I thought the contrast between their characters was well-developed.
The book is split into three parts. The first two parts I found very interesting but I'm sad to say the third part lost me a little. It felt like there was a more epic story in there somewhere and I would have preferred to read that. I think part of the problem was that I didn't feel particularly invested in the character the story eventually focused on. However, I did enjoy the parallels drawn between Garland and Hedge and I thought the contrast between their characters was well-developed.
February 26, 2013
RECEIVED FREE COPY TO REVIEW
Trains have been used in many a song: Traintime (Cream); Mystery Train (Paul Butterfield Blues Band); Folsom Prison Blues (Johnny Cash); and Train Kept a Rollin' (Yardbirds, Aerosmith, and a raftload of others). Maintaining the metaphor for a three to seven minute song is one thing; the author does it for half of the book. But while Cash's train merely tortured him, the trains of Train to Nowhere more closely resemble Savoy Brown's Hellbound Train.
They serve as home, prison, and engineered salvation simultaneously. The characters' dystopia is more regimented than 1984 or Brave New World. Having abandoned any hope of a Messiah to rule them they instead allow self-appointed messiahs to control every area of life with a never ending series of lies and deception, a world created in their own image.
Trains have been used in many a song: Traintime (Cream); Mystery Train (Paul Butterfield Blues Band); Folsom Prison Blues (Johnny Cash); and Train Kept a Rollin' (Yardbirds, Aerosmith, and a raftload of others). Maintaining the metaphor for a three to seven minute song is one thing; the author does it for half of the book. But while Cash's train merely tortured him, the trains of Train to Nowhere more closely resemble Savoy Brown's Hellbound Train.
They serve as home, prison, and engineered salvation simultaneously. The characters' dystopia is more regimented than 1984 or Brave New World. Having abandoned any hope of a Messiah to rule them they instead allow self-appointed messiahs to control every area of life with a never ending series of lies and deception, a world created in their own image.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews